10 swag items Every Vendor Should Use to Stand Out at Events

When you set up shop at an event - whether it’s a local fair, trade show, festival, or market - your biggest challenge is getting noticed. Rows of booths can all start to look the same, and customers have limited attention spans. That’s where swag comes in.

The right swag item isn’t just a freebie - it’s a tool to drive people to your booth, start conversations, and leave a lasting reminder of your business long after the event ends.

Let’s explore 10 powerful swag ideas tailored for vendors like you.

Why Swag Items Matters for Vendors

Think of swag as marketing you hand directly into someone’s hands. It extends your reach far beyond the event. According to the Promotional Products Association International, 79% of people remember a brand on a product they received - even two years later.

That means a well-chosen swag item can keep your business top-of-mind long after the booth is packed up. For vendors, this isn’t about giving something away - it’s about creating connections that lead to repeat customers and referrals.

1. Custom Tote Bags

Events are full of stuff - flyers, samples, giveaways. Give attendees a reason to carry your logo around the event with a reusable tote. Eco-conscious shoppers especially love them. Bonus? Your brand turns into a walking advertisement all day long.

2. Personalized Water Bottles

Crowded events = thirsty customers. A reusable bottle is practical, sustainable, and seen daily. Stainless steel or BPA-free options with your logo keep you top-of-mind every time they take a sip.

3. Branded Notebooks and Pens

These are classics for a reason. People always need something to jot notes down, and your logo ends up traveling from purses to desks to meetings. The kicker: nearly 80% of people say they have a positive impression of a brand after receiving a pen.t.

4. Tech Gadgets

Portable chargers, USB drives, or phone stands are a vendor’s dream giveaway - useful, modern, and hard to throw away. Your logo stays in someone’s pocket or on their desk for months.

5. Embroidery Apparel

T-shirts, hats, or hoodies turn your customers into brand ambassadors. For vendors, this isn’t just swag - it’s a uniform for your biggest fans. Quality embroidery also elevates your business above “cheap giveaway” territory.

6. Eco-Friendly Products

Reusable straws, bamboo utensils, seed packets - sustainable items speak to today’s consumer values. They show your business is responsible and forward-thinking, which builds trust with eco-conscious buyers.

7. Fun and Unique Items

Sometimes the most effective items are the ones that make people smile. Stress balls, fidget toys, or quirky keychains spark conversations and draw traffic to your booth. Pro tip: make it interactive. Give people something to play with, and they’ll linger longer.

8. Health and Wellness Items

Show you care about attendee well-being with branded hand sanitizers, lip balm, or face masks. These items are highly used and appreciated and they link your business with thoughtfulness.

9. Custom Phone Accessories

With everyone glued to their phones, branded grips, cases, or screen cleaners get daily use. That means your logo gets seen not just once, but hundreds of times.

10. Gift Cards or Discounts

Not all swag has to be physical. Offering event-only discounts or small gift cards is a powerful way to drive booth traffic and future sales. Attendees love value and you increase the chances of converting them into paying customers.

Key Takeaways

Swag isn’t just “stuff” — it’s strategy. The right items:

• Draw attention to your booth

• Spark conversations with attendees

• Keep your brand visible long after the event

• Drive traffic & sales beyond the event day
  

When planning your next event, think about your ideal customer and what they’ll find useful, fun, or memorable. A little creativity goes a long way toward turning giveaways into growth for your business. 👉 Ready to take your vendor booth to the next level? Southern Threads helps businesses design and produce custom swag that stands out, engages customers, and pays off. Let’s create your swag strategy today.